Hawaii

Useful Links

Current Legislative/Regulatory Issues

NPMA SPAR Michael Botha is actively working with the Hawaii Pest Control Association (HPCA) on a variety of pest control related issues. Multiple bills died in the legislature. Neonicotinoid bans and other interesting topics were among the dead pieces of legislation. Also, there is a Mosquito Task Force that was introduced as a House Concurrent Resolution aimed at reducing mosquito breeding sites—focusing on water catchment systems. NPMA encourages members to engage with the Legislature and the Department of Health to make sure PCOs are represented on this task force.

A list of bills that died:

HB 1594—Neonicotinoid Ban—Lowen (D)

HB 1687—Neonicotinoid Restriction—Thielen (R)

HB 2765—Requires a PCO to consult a beekeeper before terminating a bee colony—Ichiyama (D)

The bill was introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives on 1/27/2016 by Representative Linda E. Ichiyama (D). The bill would require pest control operators to consult, “an apiologist, a melittologist, an entomologist, or a beekeeper to determine whether the honey bee colony can be safely removed and transported to a new location prior to eliminating or terminating a honeybee colony.” If the “expert” determines that the honey bee colony can be removed safely and transported to a new location the pest professional shall make arrangements to safely remove and transport the bee colony to an appropriate location. If the “expert” determines that the bee colony cannot be safely removed or transported, the professional may eliminate or terminate the honey bee colony.

The bill was prefiled in the Hawaii House of Representatives on 1/15/16 and introduced on 1/20/16. The bill would virtually ban the use of Neonicotinoids throughout the State effective July 1, 2017. HB 1594 is sponsored by Representative Nicole Lowen (D). An identical version, S. 2268, was introduced in the Hawaii Senate on 1/22/16. The Senate bill is sponsored by the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Russell Ruderman (D).

The bill was introduced in the Hawaii House of Representatives on 1/21/16. This bill would virtually ban Neonicotinoids too. It differs from HB 1594 because of added language that touches on criminal penalties, fines, liabilities and an exemption for indoor use. Also, different in this bill is that by July 1, 2017, a preliminary report is required by the Department of Agriculture that evaluates whether clear, peer-reviewed, published scientific evidence exists that outdoor application of Neonicotinoid Insecticides is safe for honeybees, other pollinators, other beneficial insects, the broader environment, and human health. HB 1687 is sponsored by Representative Cynthia Thielen (R).

State Policy Affairs Representative (S.P.A.R.), Michael Botha

The NPMA State Policy Affairs Representative is the key liaison responsible for coordinating issues between associations. To contact your state SPAR click on their email below.